JK: 40 Shia mourners held during Muharram rally

Srinagar, Jan 30: About 40 Shia mourners were arrested near heretoday when they violated a ban imposed on the Muharram processions bythe authorities in the city since 1990.

Official sources said scores of Shia mourners assembled at theRegal Chowk despite a ban and tried to move towards Moulana Azad roadin a procession.

A large number of police personnel deployed in the area sinceearly this morning swung into action and stopped them. However, whenthe processionists refused to disperse, police resorted to batoncharge. Later, about 20 mourners were arrested by the police.

The mourners again reassembled at Mounla Azad road near the Congress Headquarters.

When they tried to move towards Abi Guzar, the police again arrested more than 20 mourners.

The Police have also sealed entire Abi Guzar and the main roadfrom Regal Chowk to Bisco school has been closed since early thismorning to prevent mourners to reach Abi Guzar mosque.

The Shia mourners used to take out Muharram procession from AbiGuzar to Zadibal Imambara after marching through entire old city before1990.

The Jammu and Kashmir government had banned the Muharramprocessions in the city since 1990, following the eruption of militancy.

UNI >